Model year record

1988 Ford Escort

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 206 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V139000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
1987-09-04
Owners notified
1987-10-12

Defect description

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Safety risk

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch34
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline15
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash10
Electrical system: ignition9
Seat belts8
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator7
Electrical system: wiring7
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump6
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5
Engine and engine cooling: engine567,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights5
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch4
Power train: automatic transmission4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Steering: rack and pinion4
Electrical system: horn3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Suspension: front: control arm3
Vehicle speed control3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Suspension: front2
Unknown or other2
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Tires1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1987 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.